December 12, 2004

Smoltz back in starting rotation: Is this a good idea? While the Braves need a good starter, Smoltz could barely last the year as a closer. Now that they have Kolb to close, how long will Smoltz last as a starter? Four elbow surgeries might come back to haunt him this year.

As a Brewer fan, I love this deal.....Kolb's value will never be higher, and Capellan's a tremendous talent. I live in Myrtle Beach and he started the year here with Atlanta's A ball club. Saw him pitch 8 innings of no-hit ball before the reliever gave up a 2 out ninth inning single. He was just blowing it past 'em, and then proceeded to catapult thru the ranks to Atlanta in September. The Crew will find another closer (Vizcaino or Adams) without difficulty.

Well....1 and 1/2 year wonder. He had 21 saves and 1.96 ERA in 2003 after taking over the closer job from DeJean. Nonetheless, that K thing is worrisome if you're a Braves fan. We kept waiting for Danny to implode last year.

Yikes! Potential one-year wonder? I agree. I had Kolb on my fantisy team last years and saw that trend. I picked him in the last few rounds and got a bit lucky I will admit. However, I'd hesitate taking him any higher than I did last season. It looks like the Brewers got the better of this deal.

Alternatively, the Braves have a knack of trading away pitchers after they've gotten the best out of them (Denny Neagle, Pete Smith, Kevin Millwood, etc.). Jason Schmidt is really the only exception I can think of here. So, I wouldn't get wildly excited in WI. As for Smoltz in the rotation, I'm not so sure I'm excited about that at all. I've always really like Smoltzie, and thought the closer's role would keep him around a few years longer than otherwise. I do understand his hunger to get back to starting though; the guy would walk through a brick wall to compete.

Reminds me of the young pitcher who had only appeared for them a few times (Rivera) that was traded to the Orioles (can't remember for whom exactly). He was a fireballer too, and he hasn't started for Baltimore once and has had an assortment of arm injuries.